China, a great power that cannot be trusted

By Isabel Hilton

Treaties may be made of paper, but a sovereign state’s binding commitments are more than just words on a page — they influence whether it can be trusted and respected in a world that seeks to be governed by rules rather than force. If China wants to be seen as a “new kind of great power” and a benign force in the world, honoring solemn promises written on paper is essential.